I am at a total.....loss!! I have been suffering with migraines and horrible vertigo for now over a year and a half. I have put my body through the "gammet" I feel with every preventative med there is out there trying to stop my migraines....what do they do?? Either one, accentuate my vertigo terribly or two...decrease my migraines but to the point of "daily" pouding headaches. The doc has had me on amitryptiline, nortryptiline, propanolol, topomax, neurontin, seems like a countless number of steroids, SSI's, and beta-blockers....as you can imagine...the list is lengthy and quite frankly I'm typing with one eye closed and was hoping to shoot something out to the forum to see what other members have done with finally STOPPING all preventatives and what alternative route they took.

Yep....given the ENT a whirl as well. They discovered that I do have a vestibular infraction in my right ear as well as 25% hearing loss as well.

When I've spoke to my neurologist/primary doc. about this being the problem with my headaches and vertigo they have BOTH said....the ear should not have anything to do with my migraines/vertigo.......what?? This does not sound right to me or anyone in my family....does it to you??

I'm visiting with my neurologists' assistant tomorrow morn....thank heavens...I am planning on bringing this to her attention and see what she has to say.

It's so frustrating....I almost would like to turn my records over to a different clinic/hospital here in town...but then again am I taking more backward steps then forward steps.

Let me say...these doctors concern me saying they dont feel there is a connection between your ears and migraines/vertigo!?!?! WHAT?!?!? That makes NO sense.

Please talk to the Neuro asst. tomorrow and let us know what they say!

As far as taking steps backwards, sometimes that is necessary...I know how you feel though.

"The most common signs of a vestibular disorder are dizziness, unsteadiness, nausea, and vertigo which is a sensation of the room spinning around you." (from http://www.thedizzylounge.com)

" Ear, Nose and Throat Problems may contribute to Headaches and Migraines so it is important to have them professionally addressed. It is also important to investigate for other potential causes, as many cases of Headaches and Migraines have more than one ingredient." (from www.headache.com)

Keep talking until they HEAR you!!!! This is beyond me for them to flat out tell you that! (sorry, Im in a mood and hate that you are hurting and they aren't taking you seriously!)

Thank you so much for your words advice....they are greatly appreciated and helpful to know that I'm not losing my mind!! :)

I have been up pretty much all night with a constant headache....probably due to the much NOT-needed stress and anticipation of my appt. this morning.

I have a "list" I plan on running through with her. "Fortunately" for me this has only been a problem for a year and a half....unlike so many others on this forum that have been dealing with these issues for......years!! Quite frankly, being what it seems in some peoples minds that I'm "new" to this disease, I feel that the docs. have almost "given" up on me already and honestly my friends and family give me the attitude of....."o.k. Krista, it's been over a year now let's move on with life....you get dizzy and have headaches...get over it"

I too...have a bit of a "mood" this morn. Thanks again Sara. I'll keep you posted on the appt.

Friends and family are sick of hearing it (yeah...like we are having a picnic over here!) and even though you have "only" been battling a year (uh, these people have no clue what a year is like when you feel like THIS) and they appear to be giving up.

Well, here is what I can tell you...Family is family, can't do much about that. I just limit what I tell them and sort of distance myself when things are REALLY bad. Friends, well...if they are GOOD FRIENDS (like friends should be) they want to hear what is going on with you regardless of whether its all sunshine and lollipops~!! lol

AS FAR AS DOCTOR'S are concerned, they do not know everything and just because the one you are seeing now wants to give up does not mean there isn't a doctor right around the corner who is WILLING and ABLE to help you! Keep fighting girl...find a good doctor!

(I was "fired" by two different doctors saying that they couldn't help me anymore etc. I was so depressed thinking "oh, what am I going to do now..." Well, I found a great pain management doctor and he is no doubt, the best I have found in all my years of dealing with this..) I just wanted to share what I would like to have been able to tell myself back then Sara-Migraine/Headache Forum Moderator